2400 AD

Gideon moved across the floor of his apartment, legs relaxed and slightly bent to the beat of a Tango playing in the background. His rhythm incisive, exciting and provocative, he had perfected the art of the Tango and every time he practiced, he surprised himself by doing something new.

The music was so loud he didn’t hear Elaine announce Kendall’s arrival. All the apartments had an electronic butler that announced visitors and executed basic functions like dimming lights and preparing dinner or making tea and coffee, or turning the music on and off, and opening the wall door.

A loud beep. The music died.

“Sorry to interrupt your Tango session, Commander. Kendall is here to see you.”

He wiped his face and neck with a towel. “Let her in.”

Kendall stood at the entrance to his lounge, arms across her chest.

“Tango?”

“You should try it sometime.”

“Never had the inclination. How’s Callum?”

She wore the Denizen light-blue uniform. High cheekbones set against a lean, confident face as though life had been good and gracious to her. However, her brown eyes told another story. A sad story. Life had not been good and gracious at all.

“He’ll be fine,” Gideon said. “He thinks he’s normal; ex French Foreign Legion with two dogs and a client base for his security company. There’s something about this guy I can’t shake off. He reminds me of Paul. Eyes with soul. An old soul. Like he’s been places and seen things.”

“Sounds like you might have the hots for him.”

“He’s probably straight. He didn’t mention a wife or kids. He only spoke about his dogs. Falling in love will only jeopardize what we’re trying to achieve.”

Kendall rubbed her hands over Gideon’s shoulders. “You’re tense. You need to lighten up. Everyone needs love. Only love will get us through this.”

Gideon rolled his shoulders back and sighed out of pure relief. “That’s so good,” he moaned. “I’ve forgotten what a massage feels like. Will you do me a favor?”

“Anytime.”

“Find out where he lived. I need an address. He might have an online social account. I want to know his middle name if he has one, what kind of alcohol he drinks. The size of his shirt. The names of his dogs. I want to know about his parents and grandparents. Find out if he has siblings. Everything.”

After she left, he called on Elaine to repeat the Tango music.

He stepped forward landing heel first. Taking a step backward he pushed from the heel, dipped and rotated with his feet staying close to the floor, and then changed from dance to cat-stance. His hands outstretched with fingers tense and prepared for battle. His face changed from calm to anger, his eyes lacked emotion, but his senses overwhelmed by a feeling of complete safety.